Premier League set to use VAR from next season

During a meeting attended by key members of all 20 Premier League clubs, officials were presented with an update on the non-live VAR trials taking place. File photo of a referee checking the VAR screen. (Photo: AFP/Josep LAGO) LONDON: The Premier League is set to use the Video Assistant Referee system from next season after clubs “agreed in principle” to the move on Thursday (Nov 15). During a meeting attended by key members of all 20 Premier League clubs, officials were presented with an update on the non-live VAR trials taking place. They were also given “key learnings” from VAR’s use in the FA Cup and League Cup this season. VAR was used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where 335 incidents were checked by VAR officials, and is already underway in some other European leagues. A formal Premier League request will now be made to the International Football Association Board and FIFA, the world governing body. A statement from the Premier League said its testing programme would continue for the rest of the season, “with a continued emphasis on those Saturday afternoons which have several matches being played concurrently”. How VAR decisions are communicated to fans in the stadium will be addressed, with the development of a “clear protocol” to be established. PRAISE Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey praised the decision, telling BBC Radio Five Live: “I think it is a good thing. I know a lot of people are against it but we’ve got to embrace… [Read full story]